World Premier: The MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition

There is no single race car driver who’s played a bigger role for the MINI brand in it’s rally days. That’s why this all new MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition is a bit more special than most special editions. Earlier this year we brought you an exclusive report detailing the forthcoming MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition. Today those grainy screen captures make way for the real photos and details for this all new special edition dedicated to one of the rally legends.

While this is an global special edition designed by MINI Design in Munich, this isn’t the first time MINI USA has honored the rally legend. Way back in 2004 MINI USA released the very first special edition of MINI’s modern history with the MC40. So in many ways this new Paddy Hopkirk Edition is also a follow-up to that hallowed special edition.

Like the MC40, the outside will be finished in Chili Red/White along with various unique exterior additions (black Track Spoke wheels, black trim, hood scoop, badging and door handles). Perhaps most noticeable will be the giant 37 decal (paying homage to the famous rally car) and badging. Although unlike the MC40, this version is a bit more subtle.

The Paddy Hopkirk Special Edition will arrive in the UK and Europe next month and should hit US showrooms in November. Some markets (notably Europe and the UK) will offer the edition in both F56 3-door and F55 5-door models. The North American market will only receive the F56 3-door.

Read on for further details in MINI USA’s official press release.

OFFICIAL RELEASE

MINIUSA announces the availability of the new MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition in the U.S.  The MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition will be available to U.S. customers November 2020 and is based on the popular MINI Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door model.  Inspired by the historic rally winning model, this special edition Cooper S features the famous starting number 37 livery, body finished in Chili Red and a contrast white roof.

56 years have passed, but memories of the great triumph achieved by the small car with the starting number 37 are still vivid.  In 1964, the classic Mini Cooper S clinched the first of three overall victories at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. At the wheel was the then 30-year-old Northern Irish rally driver Patrick “Paddy” Hopkirk.  In his honor, MINI now presents an edition model with exclusive design and equipment features to mark one of the most spectacular achievements in the international motorsport history. One unmistakable reminder of Hopkirk’s historic win in the classic Mini is the car’s start number 37, which is featured in stylized form on the driver and passenger doors of the edition model.

Hopkirk’s victorious run in the Mini Cooper S was widely celebrated by spectators on site and motor racing fans in the UK.  Driving the small British car with his English co-pilot Henry Liddon, Hopkirk overcame the odds against competitors with significantly greater engine power. The handicap formula in force at the time meant that differences in weight and output within the starting field were compensated to a certain extent.  But the crucial factors in winning the challenging chase over country roads and mountain passes, through ice snow, around tight corners and down steep slopes were the agility and reliability of the Mini Cooper S and the driving skill of Hopkirk.

The surprise win in Monte Carlo made Paddy Hopkirk the UK’s most famous rally driver overnight.  At the same time, the classic Mini advanced from outsider and crowd pleaser to being a true motor racing legend.  This status was reaffirmed in the years that followed when the Mini Cooper S dominated the Monte Carlo Rally.  Hopkirk’s Finnish team mates Timo Mäkinen and Rauno  Aaltonen  added  two  more  outright victories to  the  title collection in 1965 and 1967.

The winning streak at the Monte Carlo Rally continues to inspire MINI fans all over the world to this day.  With the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition, they now have the opportunity to express their passion for racing in a particularly authentic way.  The edition model combines its exterior paintwork in the style of the historic rally winner in a market-specific manner with 17-inch John Cooper Works light-alloy wheels in Track Spoke Black design and numerous other accentuations in dark colors.  The frame and horizontal brace of the radiator grille are finished in high-gloss black, as are the inserts for the lower air intakes, the opening in the bonnet, the door handles, the fuel filler flap, the tailgate handle, the MINI logos at the front and rear as well as the surrounds for the headlights and rear lights.

The start number 37 also appears on the side indicator elements known as side scuttles. Other unmistakable features on the exterior are the LED headlights and the rear lights in Union Jack design, stickers with the inscription “Paddy Hopkirk Monte Carlo” and a single white bonnet stripe on the driver’s side, which like the tailgate of the edition model, bears the signature of the 1964 “Monte” winner.  In addition, the famous number and letter combination 33 EJB of the number plate of the 1964 Monte Carlo winning car is shown on the bonnet strip using 3D effect graphics.

Hopkirk’s signature also appears on the decorative trim strip on the passenger side, which forms part of the Piano Black high-gloss interior surfaces.  Another exclusive design feature is the MINI LED entry sills bearing the name “Paddy Hopkirk”.  The MINI Excitement Package and Comfort Access are also included in the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition.

The MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition will be available at MINI dealers across the U.S. in November 2020.